KUALA LUMPUR: The government is considering improving the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme Act 2017, particularly by broadening the coverage for self-employed individuals in unforeseen circumstances to provide more comprehensive protection.

Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said the matter is being studied with the Social Security Organisation (Socso) under the Employees’ Social Security Act 1969 and Employment Insurance System Act 2017, as well as other relevant regulations.

"As of November 10, 793,116 self-employed individuals are actively contributing under the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (SKSPS), and 4,334 claims have been approved, amounting to RM24.69 million.

ALSO READ: Budget 2023: Self-employed required to make Socso contributions

"The Housewife Social Security Scheme (SKSSR), on the other hand, has 197,893 contributors with 322 claims made totalling RM849,081 as of Nov 5,” he said during Question Time at the Dewan Rakyat sitting on Thursday (Nov 16).

He was responding to questions by Datuk Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang) and Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka) regarding the achievements of the SKSPS and SKSSR programmes and the latest approaches to increase the number of contributors.

ALSO READ: Just 337,000 of five million self-employed individuals have signed up for social security scheme

Mustapha said the ministry is also actively raising awareness among the self-employed group, especially those in the gig industry, on the importance of social security protection for their well-being and their families.

These efforts include improving protection by increasing SKSPS funding under the SPS Contribution Matching initiative programme from 90%, equivalent to RM186.20, to 90% at RM209.50, as tabled during the 2024 Budget.

He said self-employed individuals need to pay only RM23.30 compared to RM46.60.- Bernama